terrible
adjective
ter·ri·ble
ˈter-ə-bəl 
ˈte-rə-
1
: extremely bad: such as
a
: notably unattractive or objectionable
terrible behavior
b
: of very poor quality
a terrible movie
c
: strongly repulsive : obnoxious
a terrible smell
2
a
: difficult
in a terrible bind
b
: formidable in nature : awesome
a terrible responsibility
c
: exciting extreme alarm or intense fear : terrifying
terribleness
noun
Examples of terrible in a Sentence
Traffic was held up by a terrible accident.
I have a terrible cold.
The service at that restaurant is terrible.
Recent Examples on the Web
Because to accept Douglas Kelley's conclusions that the capacity for the most unspeakable atrocity is latent in our own reality is shockingly quotidian and perhaps too frightening to hear; a responsibility too terrible to accept and yet too prescient to ignore.
—
NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
The latter choice displayed all of the outlandishness and elite skill that made Bryant, even at the end of his career, and on a terrible team that season, so compelling to watch.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Surely there was some deeper reason that the series, which stars the likes of Glenn Close, Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson and, yes, Kim Kardashian, was so unfathomably terrible.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrible
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NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
The latter choice displayed all of the outlandishness and elite skill that made Bryant, even at the end of his career, and on a terrible team that season, so compelling to watch.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Surely there was some deeper reason that the series, which stars the likes of Glenn Close, Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson and, yes, Kim Kardashian, was so unfathomably terrible.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrible
Cite this Entry
“Terrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrible. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
terrible
adjective
ter·ri·ble
ˈter-ə-bəl
2
a
: very great in degree
made a terrible mess
a terrible cold
b
: very bad in quality
terrible music
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